The World Crisis 1911-1918. [Complete in six volumes] by CHURCHILL, [Sir] Winston Spencer (1874-1965)

London: Thornton Butterworth, 1923-1931. [Military history] FIRST EDITIONS. Octavo (24 x 16 x 29cm), pp.[8]; 536; pp.557; [3]; pp.292; pp.x; 293-589; [1]; pp.474; [2]; pp.368. With errata slips, illustrated with black and white plates and folding maps. Publisher's blue cloth titled in gilt to spines. A black ink ownership to front pastedown of volumes I and II, otherwise clean unmarked copies, showing a little light toning and occasional spotting. Some light general wear to bindings. A solid, very good set. This comprehensive account of the Great War is both analytical, and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill considered the work "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War.' Indeed, T.E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, '1915', as "far and away the best war-book I've yet read.

London: Thornton Butterworth, 1923-1931. [Military history] FIRST EDITIONS. Octavo (24 x 16 x 29cm), pp.[8] 536; pp.557 [3]; pp.292; pp.x; 293-589 [1]; pp.474 [2]; pp.368. With errata slips, illustrated with black and white plates and folding maps. Publisher's blue cloth titled in gilt to spines. Crisp, clean copies showing some toning and spotting to edges and preliminaries of volumes I and II. Moderate wear also to bindings of volumes I and II, and very light wear to remaining volumes. A clean, attractive set. Very good. This comprehensive account of the Great War is both analytical, and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill considered the work "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War.' Indeed, T.E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, '1915', as "far and away the best… Read More

London: Thornton Butterworth, 1923-31. [Military history] SMARTLY BOUND FIRST EDITIONS, a complete set. Six volumes. Octavo (24 x 16 x 29cm), pp.[8]; 536; pp.557; [3]; pp.292; pp.x; 293-589; [1]; pp.474; [2]; pp.368. With errata slips, illustrated with black and white plates and folding maps. Bound in navy half morocco with raised bands, spine gilt-lettered in six compartments, 'lion rampant' motif, matching cloth over boards. Top edges gilt; others lightly trimmed. Clean within, bindings unmarked. A fine set in handsome recent leather bindings. This comprehensive account of the Great War is both analytical, and on occasions a justification from the author for his part in the proceedings. It is claimed that Churchill considered the work "not history, but a contribution to history." Since its publication both biographers and historians have considered it Churchill's masterpiece, eclipsing his better-known account 'The Second World War.' Indeed, T.E. Lawrence regarded the second volume, '1915', as "far… Read More